From October 16 to 18, the Messezentrum Salzburg will be transformed into a marketplace for historic garage treasures with the international classic car fair, which will make time stand still on the automobile speedometer for three days. The eagerly awaited Dorotheum auction and the special show "110 years of Austro Daimler" are just two of the highlights of the trade fair weekend. Part of the comprehensive Covid prevention concept this year is the online ticket, which encourages all visitors to buy their tickets in good time from home with the early bird rate.
For the 16th anniversary of the popular Classic Expo, gems from all over Europe will be rolling in, adorned with chrome, paint and the finest accessories. With rattling engines and the scent of the past, the Classic Expo invites you on a road trip through the automotive developments of the last century. A mix of premium bodies and second-hand collector's items awaits. Numerous private collectors will once again park their classic cars at the Classic Expo and offer them for sale. An opportunity for all visitors to invest in valuable assets on four wheels.
First major trade fair in a long time
"Following the ban on events in Europe, the 16th Classic Expo is the driving force that attracts international exhibitors after many events have been canceled in German-speaking countries. There is a positive mood on the classic car market, which is reflected in a very pleasing booking situation for us," says Maria Kneidl, Classic Expo Project Manager at Messezentrum Salzburg GmbH.
"We are delighted to open the fall season after the break with our internationally established Classic Expo classic car fair," says Messezentrum Salzburg Managing Director Alexander Kribus. "The feedback from both exhibitors and visitors has been consistently positive, classic car enthusiasts are looking forward to the trade fair, and so are we. These signals show us how important the trade fair platform is. Our Covid prevention concept is still being fine-tuned with the relevant authorities. We will present the comprehensive concept soon."
Safety first and foremost
A cornerstone of the Covid prevention concept is the targeted management of visitor flows, which is easy to implement thanks to the size of Messezentrum Salzburg. For example, the entrance and exit areas, cash desks and checkrooms have been generously designed and equipped with adequate protective measures. The technically well-equipped halls guarantee an ideal air exchange and optimal hygiene conditions are also ensured by trained staff and contactless disinfectant dispensers that can be used by visitors themselves. By purchasing an online ticket, which is available at the early bird rate until September 30, visitors can also avoid queuing at the cash desks.
Dorotheum auction
This year's highlight will once again be an eagerly awaited auction of historic vehicles by the Dorotheum auction house. In addition, spare parts, historic type certificates or a new radiator grille can be purchased at the extensive parts market, which spans two halls. The thriving club scene exudes the spirit of times long past and fills the exhibition halls with life.
Whether exhibitors, visitors or hobby mechanics - everyone is united by a passion for patina, which will once again be celebrated at the 16th anniversary of the Classic Expo.
Special show "110 years of Austro Daimler"
One of the great pioneers in the development of the car at the beginning of the 20th century was Ferdinand Porsche, whose innovations gave mobility a boost. This year's Classic Expo special show pays tribute to him. An exhibition of lovingly restored milestones in automotive history will be on display at the Ferdinand Porsche Erlebniswelten fahr(T)raum. Ferdinand Porsche made history above all with the Austro Daimler "Prinz Heinrich", which is considered the world's first real sports car, and the "Kaiserwagen" from 1912. What few people know today is that electric and hybrid engines were already being used at this early stage of automotive history.
The "Österreichische Daimler-Motoren-Aktiengesellschaft" was founded in 1910, but the first automobile had already been produced in Wiener Neustadt ten years earlier: a four-seater with a two-cylinder engine. Trucks, buses, ship engines, rail vehicles, aircraft engines and a racing car were also built. From 1911, Austro Daimler was allowed to use the imperial double-headed eagle as an award.
Classics in the high-end, mid-range and bargain segments
The Classic Expo not only impresses with its size of almost 40,000m² of exhibition space. The combination of dealers, auctions and private sellers, as well as the mix of luxury, patina and passion, spans the various visitor interests.
The focus is on gems of automotive history, classic cars in the high-end, mid-range and bargain segments, dealer pieces as well as hobbyist hits and favorites from private garages.
Further information can be found on the trade fair website.
